Con Cor Locos

[ken_23434]

I have been looking at some Sw-1500 and MP15DC engines for my layout. I have seen some ConCor engines for fairly low prices. I am not sure about their reputation, though.

Specifically, their HO scale SW-7 and MP-15 engines.

Does anyone have experience with them? Good/bad ?

 

[Larry]

Every Con-Cor engine that I have ever bought were nice runners & they use to be detailed quite well. I haven't bought any for about 10 years, so, I don't know if that has changed.

Larry

 

[UP2CSX]

Con-Cor engines were a step above Athearn BB locomotives in terms of motor quality and smooth running. They are reissuing the the MP15 with DCC already installed. The detail level is about the same as an Athearn RTR locomotive and the price reflects this.

 

[ken_23434]

Thanks for the info.

Is there a list that rates the various brands and lines they produce so the new guy can learn which model is a Cadillac and which one is the Yugo?

I have a couple Proto-2000's and really like them. But, I do not know how they compare to the blue box Athearns, the RTR Athearns, ConCor, Atlas (various lines).

Thanks again.

 

[UP2CSX]

I've never seen such a list and it would be kind of misleading since almost every company produces several different quality lines. In addition, the year a locomotive was produced is crucial in terms of quality. For example, Life-Like used to produce nothing but train set quality junk. Since they were taken over by Walthers, they are now producing top quality products as the Proto 2000 line. Before Atlas started to produce the Silver and Gold lines, many of their locomotives were average at best. RTR Athearns have finer handrails and some revamped tooling but the internals are really not much different than the BB models. AHM/IHC used to produde some awful stuff but their new Premiere line steam engines rank right up there with some of the best. Mantua used to procuce mediocre steam engines but their new lines are very good.

I'd say the only consistent "Cadillac" lines are Kato, Broadway Limited, Bowser, and Stewart. The only consistent "Yugo" lines are Tyco, Model Power, and early Bachmann. Otherwise, I'd post anything you're thinking about buying and we can give you advice.

 

[ken_23434]

Sounds like you just started the list I was looking for. Good info.

 

[BNSF dude]

RTR Athearns have finer handrails and some revamped tooling but the internals are really not much different than the BB models.

OH! But they run so much quieter! The RTR SD45 I got performs amazingly.

 

[UP2CSX]

Anthony, if you take apart an RTR and a BB and put them next to each other, you'll see very little difference. The RTR's have gears that are made from a different plastic and they do tend to run a little quieter but that's about the only significant difference.

 

[ken_23434]

Thanks for the info. It helped me out a lot.

I won an auction on Ebay for an undecorated Athearn BB SW-1500. I will now get to try out my skills at painting it like the local short line.

 

[BNSF dude]

Anthony, if you take apart an RTR and a BB and put them next to each other, you'll see very little difference. The RTR's have gears that are made from a different plastic and they do tend to run a little quieter but that's about the only significant difference.

Very true. But the newer generation "Hex-drive" motors they use are a far cry performance wise than the old Alpha-Jets.